Support the S.A.V.E. Initiative
Extend Native Life - One Sweat at a Time
What Is the S.A.V.E. Initiative?
The S.A.V.E. Initiative is a Native-led health project that provides cedar saunas to Native elders to support cardiovascular health, reduce chronic stress, and restore sacred sweat traditions.
We’re going to start by placing 40 saunas in the White Earth Nation, and our mission is to extend Native life expectancy — one sweat at a time.
This program is driven by community, built with cultural respect, and powered by people who care.
What Is the S.A.V.E. Initiative?
- Heart disease is the #1 killer of Native Americans
- Studies show sauna use improves cardiovascular health and longevity
- Sweat lodges have been used for thousands of years by our people
- We're combining modern wellness science with traditional healing practices
What is the GOAL of this Initiative?
We encourage the entire family to use the saunas!!!
This is how this initiative works!
- You sign up for the program by filling out the form below.
- We'll reach back out to you to fill out a simple form that is submitted back to us.
- Once the form is submitted back to us, you are a candidate for a free sauna!
- If you're chosen, you receive an electric 6' x 6' outdoor sauna, free to you.
- Once you're all set-up, we conduct a preliminary health check.
- You have to use the sauna for 12 months. No selling it!!!
- We send out a monthly inquiry about how often you use it and thoughts on it.
- Every 3 months we send someone out for a simple health check.
- At the end of 12 months we take a final exam of your health and see if the sauna has improved your overall health.
Support This Sacred Work
We’re currently raising funds through private donors and grants — and every dollar goes toward building and placing cedar saunas directly into the homes and communities of Native elders.
👉 Whether you can give $5 or $500, your donation helps restore wellness and culture where it’s needed most.
To Get this Started, our Financial Goal is $300K for 40 Saunas!
40 Saunas for 40 White Earth Enrolled Elders
Where It’s Working
Real Impact. Real People.
Are You an Enrolled Elder Interested in a Sauna? Get on the List!
Make sure you provide us your name, address, tribal affiliation, contact info (so we can reach out to you), and proof on enrollment by uploading a pic of your tribal ID.
Contact / Questions
- Want to Bring This to Your Nation?
- Email: mike@cedar-sense.com
- Phone: 218-760-2041
This Isn’t Just Wellness — It’s Cultural Revival.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cedar Sense helps you design and build the sauna setup that actually fits your space, budget, and lifestyle. Here are answers to the questions we get asked the most.
Do I have to be a White Earth enrollee to sign up?
No. While we’re starting this initiative in the White Earth Nation (because that’s where we’re from), we want all tribal elders to sign up — no matter where you’re from. The more interest we see in a particular community, the more likely we are to bring the next round of cedar saunas there.
What is the S.A.V.E. Initiative?
S.A.V.E. stands for Sauna Anishinaabe Vitality Enhancement — a Native-led initiative to improve elder health, restore traditional sweat practices, and bring cedar saunas back into tribal communities as a natural, accessible form of wellness.
Who qualifies to receive a sauna?
Our priority is tribal elders, but we encourage any enrolled tribal member to express interest. Elders over the age of 60 will be prioritized, but caregivers and family members are encouraged to sign up as well — especially if they plan to help support an elder using the sauna.
What are the health benefits of sauna use?
Regular sauna use has been shown to lower blood pressure, improve heart health, reduce stress, and increase circulation. It’s also deeply beneficial for mental and emotional clarity — and it aligns with many traditional healing practices used by Indigenous people for generations.
How much does it cost to receive a sauna?
There is no cost to receive sauna. We’re actively fundraising and applying for grants to cover the full cost of each sauna, including construction, delivery, and installation. There will be a slight additional monthly electricity bill increase. Roughly $5-$20/month depending on how often you use the sauna.
What kind of saunas are being provided?
We build handcrafted cedar saunas, designed to be culturally respectful and elder-friendly. These saunas can be used year-round and are built for safety, durability, and comfort — honoring both tradition and wellness.
When will saunas be delivered?
We’re still in the fundraising and planning phase, so we can’t give exact delivery dates yet. Once funding is secured and interest is confirmed in a region, we’ll begin scheduling construction and deliveries in phases.
How can I help bring this to my community?
Sign up, spread the word, and share our initiative with tribal leaders, health coordinators, and other elders in your community. The more interest we see, the easier it is to bring the initiative to your reservation next.
Are there any stipulations besides age and enrollment?
What if I don't want the sauna anymore?
We require anyone willing to participate in this program to have the sauna on their property for 12 months. After that you can do what you like with it.
Within the 12 months if you move residents then you can pay us to move it. We suggest you do not participate if you’re planning on moving and don’t want to pay to move it.
We will also have an option to buy back the saunas after 12-months or you can sell them privately.